Researchers at the University of Georgia examined dead black vultures collected in 2022 and 2023. They tested birds from several states and found that most of the tested birds were infected with H5N1, a form of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Lead author Nicole Nemeth says the tested carcasses may represent tens or hundreds of thousands of black vultures. The vultures' scavenging behaviour helps the virus keep circulating beyond the normal bird flu season, and scientists are worried this gives the virus more chances to change and become more dangerous to other animals.
Difficult words
- examine — look at something carefully to learnexamined
- collect — bring together things or samples for studycollected
- infect — give a disease to a person or animalinfected
- carcass — the dead body of an animalcarcasses
- scavenge — eat dead animals or remove food from wastescavenging
- circulate — move or spread from place to placecirculating
- influenza — a virus disease that can infect birds
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you report a dead wild bird to local authorities? Why or why not?
- How could people protect pets from bird flu exposure?
- Do you think scientists should study dead wild animals? Why or why not?
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